Abstract: A soft contact lens made of a hydrated polymer with an overall water content in the range of 40% to 90% by weight has a water content at the front surface of the lens which is at least 3 percentage points higher than the water content at its rear cornea-contacting surface, as measured by use of an Abbe refractometer. The lens is made from a monomer capable of polymerizing to form a clear transparent partially swollen hydrogel polymer and a diluent forming from 15 to 50% by weight of the moulding mixture, which is moulded between a convex and a concave mould member of different materials chosen so that the lens has the different water contents at its surfaces, as mentioned above.